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California Change Environmental Review Process for Essential Projects Initiative (2026)
| California Change Environmental Review Process for Essential Projects Initiative | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 3, 2026 | |
| Topic Land use and development policy | |
| Status Pending official review | |
| Type State statute | Origin Citizens |
The California Change Environmental Review Process for Essential Projects Initiative (#25-0023) may appear on the ballot in California as an initiated state statute on November 3, 2026.
The initiative would establish timelines for local and state agencies to review plans and solicit public comment for essential projects, such as housing, improvements to water supply, transportation, energy, and facilities for health and public safety.[1]
Text of measure
Full text
The full text of the initiative can be read here.
Path to the ballot
An initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are 21 states that allow citizens to initiate state statutes, including 14 that provide for direct initiatives and nine (9) that provide for indirect initiatives (two provide for both). An indirect initiated state statute goes to the legislature after a successful signature drive. The legislatures in these states have the option of approving the initiative itself, rather than the initiative appearing on the ballot.
In California, the number of signatures required for an initiated state statute is equal to 5% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval. The requirements to get initiated state statutes certified for the 2026 ballot:
- Signatures: 546,651 valid signatures are required.
- Deadline: The deadline for signature verification is June 25, 2026. However, the secretary of state suggested deadlines for turning in signatures of January 12, 2026, for initiatives needing a full check of signatures and April 17, 2026, for initiatives needing a random sample of signatures verified.
Initiative #25-0023
- October 21, 2025: Kurt Oneto, on behalf of the California Chamber of Commerce, filed the initiative with the California Attorney General's Office.[1][2]
See also
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External links
Footnotes
